Guard to Prevent Curb Damage

ABSTRACT

A curb guard is provided having two parts which are slideably engageable with each other such that a spacing between the parts can be selectively varied and then fixed in position while also providing a holder or anchor for an indicator pole, with the holder or anchor positioned at a border of an area to be plowed. The curb guard can be easily inserted into grass or dirt located on one side of curbing and placed over such curbing to allow the indicator pole to be positioned at the boundary of the plowing area.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The preset application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/174,657 filed Apr. 14, 2021, and expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to the field of snow removal and, in particular, to a device for protecting parking lot and driveway curbing such as Belgian block from damage by snowplows during snow removal.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Snow removal costs municipalities, commercial real estate owners, and homeowners a significant amount of money each snow season. The cost can vary from year to year depending, of course, on the amount of snowfall in a particular region. Municipalities and other local governments are often tasked with snow removal from public parking lots or parking lots used to access public and government buildings. For private property, such as shopping mall parking lots and homeowner driveways, the property owners are responsible for snow removal. In either case, snow removal contractors are usually hired to perform such tasks, which are accomplished using tractors, snowplows, snow blowers, or other types of snow removal equipment.

In existing snow removal situations before a snow season commences, indicators such as thin, elongated indicator poles, which often containing reflective materials or colors, are used to outline a boundary that, in the event of a snowfall, will require snow removal. Such poles are typically inserted into grass or dirt that borders an area to be plowed and are typically installed just prior to a freezing condition, i.e. prior to the winter season. These indicator poles provide a snowplow operator, or other snow removal operator, with a visual indicator to ascertain the plowing area such that damage to curbing which borders plowing areas can be avoided.

A drawback in the use of such indicator poles is that they are inserted into grass or dirt on an exterior of the plowing area, on a far side of curbing surrounding the area to be plowed. Thus, a judgment on the part of the plow operator must be taken into consideration during snow removal to the effect that if the plow operator gets too close to the indicator poles, curb damage will occur. This will result in costly repair to the municipality, commercial owner, and homeowner. In contrast, if the plow operator is not close enough to the indicator poles, less precise snow removal will result.

Another drawback in the use of such indicator poles for snow removal is that the poles may become dislodged from the ground as a result of unintentional contact with the plow, or some other reason. In such instances if it is still during the winter season when the ground is frozen, reinsertion of such dislodged poles becomes very difficult. Thus, during future plowing operations, the previously-dislodged indicator poles are no longer available as a guide during snow removal activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there is a need for a snow removal guide that can be easily installed when needed, and easily removed when no longer needed, and which will provide a visual indicator to a snowplow operator or other snow removal operator, of the boundary of the plow area, and be adjustable to accommodate different curbing widths, while also overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art.

In accordance with an embodiment, a curb guard is provided having two parts that are slideably engageable with each other such that a spacing between the parts can be selectively varied and then fixed in position while also providing a holder or anchor for an indicator pole, with the holder or anchor positioned at a border of an area to be plowed. The curb guard in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be easily inserted into grass or dirt located on one side of curbing and placed over such curbing to allow the indicator pole to be positioned at an interior boundary of the plowing area, which is the exterior of the curb. The curb guard can also be easily removed, such as at the beginning of the spring season.

In some aspects, the embodiments described herein relate to a curb protector having an anchoring piece that is substantially L-shaped with a first anchoring leg configured to extend horizontally having at least one anchoring alignment rib and at least one anchoring engagement hole, a second anchoring leg configured to extend vertically having at least one spike, and an anchoring bent portion configured to connect the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector including: an anchoring piece having: a first anchoring leg configured to extend horizontally having at least one anchoring alignment rib and at least one anchoring engagement hole; a second anchoring leg configured to extend vertically having at least one spike; and an anchoring bent portion configured to connect the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg; a resting piece having: a first resting leg configured to extend horizontally having at least one resting alignment rib and at least one resting engagement slot that are complementary to the at least one anchoring alignment rib and the at least one anchoring engagement hole; a second resting leg configured to extend vertically having at least one push out; a resting bent portion configured to connect the first resting leg to the second resting leg; and a respective fastener that passes through and is retained in each complementary anchoring engagement hole and resting engagement slot pair.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the anchoring piece and the resting piece are slideably engaged with each other.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein at least one of the resting piece and the anchoring piece is substantially L-shaped.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the anchoring bent portion includes at least one gusset.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the at least one spike includes at least one stiffening rib.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the at least one spike includes a wedge shaped blade at its longitudinal end.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the at least one push out is generally C-shaped.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the at least one push out includes a locking fastener.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the resting bent portion includes at least one gusset.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the first anchoring leg has two anchoring alignment ribs and at least one anchoring engagement hole arranged between the two anchoring alignment ribs.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the first anchoring leg has two anchoring engagement holes and one anchoring alignment rib arranged between the two anchoring engagement holes.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the first resting leg has two resting alignment ribs and at least one resting engagement hole arranged between the two resting alignment ribs.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the first resting leg has two resting engagement holes and one resting alignment rib arranged between the two resting engagement holes.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, further including an indicator pole arranged in the at least one push out.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein the indicator pole is retained in one of the at least one push out by at least one of a friction fit and a fastener.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a curb protector, wherein at least one internal surface of the curb protector has a protective coating arranged thereon.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of installing a curb protector including: providing an anchoring piece that is substantially L-shaped having a first anchoring leg configured to extend horizontally having at least one anchoring alignment rib and at least one anchoring engagement hole, an second anchoring leg configured to extend vertically having at least one spike, and an anchoring bent portion configured to connect the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg; providing a resting piece that is substantially L-shaped having a first resting leg configured to extend horizontally having at least one resting alignment rib and at least one resting engagement slot that are complementary to the at least one anchoring alignment rib and the at least one anchoring engagement hole, a second resting leg configured to extend vertically having at least one push out, and a resting bent portion configured to connect the first resting leg to the second resting leg; assembling the curb protector by placing the first anchoring leg and the first resting leg in overlapping arrangement; fitting the curb protector to a curb by adjusting the second anchoring leg and the second resting leg to lateral sides of the curb; inserting the at least one spike into ground on a side of the curb opposite a paved surface; and inserting an indicator pole in the at least one push out.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method, further including: arranging a fastener in each complementary anchoring engagement hole and resting engagement slot pair; and securing the fastener to maintain the second anchoring leg and the second resting leg on the lateral sides of the curb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an underside perspective view of a curb guard;

FIG. 2A shows an anchoring piece of the curb guard;

FIG. 2B shows an anchoring piece of the curb guard;

FIG. 3A shows a resting piece of the curb guard;

FIG. 3B shows an alternative resting piece;

FIG. 4 shows another underside perspective view of the curb guard;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the curb guard;

FIG. 6 shows a top, front perspective view of the curb guard;

FIG. 7 shows a top, front perspective view of the curb guard with an indicator flag; and

FIGS. 8A-8E are different curbs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Paved surfaces are typically bordered by curbs. The curb can be made from concrete, paving blocks, Belgian blocks, or the like. One lateral face of the curb bounds and faces the paved surface, the opposite lateral surface faces an unpaved surface, which is soil, gravel, or the like. The protector or curb guard 10 is placed over the curb to mark the border between the curb and the paved surface.

A curb protector or curb guard 10 is depicted in FIGS. 1-6 and is configured as a U-shaped profile. The curb guard includes an anchoring piece 12 and a resting piece 14 that are slideably engageable with each other by way of an engagement mechanism 16 (FIG. 5). The engagement mechanism allows for the relative distance between the anchoring piece 12 and the resting piece 14 to be adjusted, as explained more fully below.

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the curb protector or curb guard 10 in an assembled configuration. The adjustable distance between resting piece 14 and anchoring piece 12 corresponds to a width of a curb, Belgian block, or the like upon which the curb guard 10 is installed. One or more spikes 22 are configured to penetrate the ground proximate to the curb into the unpaved area. The spikes preferably have a wedge shaped distal end that easily penetrates the unpaved surface.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the anchoring piece 12 is configured as an “L” shape having an elongated leg 20 and a shorter engaging leg 24. While the L-shape is considered a right angle, variation of about 10° is conceivable. It should be noted that the leg 24 can be a longer leg to accommodate wider curbs. The elongated leg 20 has the spikes 22, two such spikes are shown, with a cut out region 23 disposed therebetween. Alternatively, there can be a single spike 22 as shown in FIG. 2B. In other embodiments, additional spikes 22 can be provided. The spikes 22 have a wedge shaped blade at their distal end which assists in inserting and embedding the spike into the unpaved surface.

A plurality of gussets 26 are positioned at a bending region between legs 20 and 24 to provide strength to that region, as is known in the art. The leg 20 also includes one or more stiffening ribs 28 to provide strength to the one or more spikes 22. According to one aspect of the invention, the stiffening ribs 28 and other internal surfaces of the curb guard 10 have a protective coating to prevent curb damage, wherein the coating is foam, cloth, Teflon, rubber, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1 there are two spikes 22 each having a stiffening rib 28 extending along a longitudinal axis of the elongated leg 20. The anchoring piece 12 further includes an engagement hole 30 (FIG. 4), and one or more alignment ribs or gussets 32 on leg 24, the purposes of which will be explained below. While shown as a circular relief, the engagement hole can be configured as an elongated slot, a hole, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the resting piece 14 comprises a horizontal leg 40 and a vertical leg 42, also configured as an “L” shape. While the L-shape is considered a right angle, variation of about 10° is conceivable. The horizontal leg 40 includes one or more stiffening ribs or guides 48 and one or more adjustment slots 46. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, stiffening ribs or guides 48 are positioned on either side of a single adjustment slot 46. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3B, a single stiffening rib or guide 48 is positioned between two adjustment slots 46. The stiffening rib 48 is complementary to the alignment gusset or rib 32 of leg 24 such that when stacked, the alignment gusset or rib 32 will nest into the stiffening rib 48. The vertical leg 42 contains one or more push outs 44 for receiving an end of an indicator pole, preferably in a friction fit engagement. The push outs are generally C-shaped, semicircular, semi oval, pocket shaped, or the like. A bolt or other securing device can be provided on the push out 44 to secure the base of an indicator pole in the pushout 44. As shown in FIG. 5, fastener 50, such as a thumb screw or the like, is provided for releasably securing the anchoring piece 12 to the resting piece 14 in an adjustable and slideable manner.

FIGS. 4-7 depict the curb guard 10 in an assembled condition having the gussets or ribs 32 positioned in stiffening ribs or guides 48 and the fastener 50 securing the parts together by extending the fastener through the top surface of the horizontal leg 40 via the slot 46 and aligning it with engagement hole 30 of the anchoring piece 12. For this purpose, the engagement hole 30 may include threading, a welded nut, or the like. However, other securing mechanisms can also be used such as a screw and nut arrangement, a rivet, or the like. Thus, the slideable engagement mechanism 16 is comprised of the slot 46, the engagement hole 30, and the fastener 50. Alternatively, a portion of the material that is removed to form the engagement hole can be wrapped around the edges of the slot to form a sliding connection. With the anchoring piece 12 connected to the resting piece 14 as described, and with the fastener not fully tightened, the width or separation between the elongated leg 20 and the vertical leg 42 can be adjusted through slideable engagement of the parts along the slot 46. It should be noted that for a wider curb, an additional horizontal spacer can be provided that mates with both the horizontal leg 40 and the engaging leg 24. Once the parts are spaced in a desired manner, fastener 50 will then be tightened to secure the parts in that position.

The L-shape anchoring piece 12 and L-shaped resting piece 14 generally corresponds at least to the curb shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D. It should be noted that other shapes for the anchoring and resting pieces can be provided match other curb shapes. However, the L-shaped components can be used for any of the curbs shown in FIGS. 8A-8E.

One way of installing the curb guard 10 is as follows. With the anchoring piece 12 affixed to the resting piece 14 by way of a fastener in a loosely-engaged position, the curb guard can then be placed over a curb such that the elongated leg 20 of the anchoring piece 12 is positioned above a grass or dirt side of the curb and the vertical leg 42 of the resting piece 14 is positioned at the opposite side of the curb. The width of the curb guard can then be adjusted through slideable engagement whereupon at the desired separation, the fastener 50 will be tightened. Thereafter, the curb guard can be pressed into place such as by pressing down with a user's foot. This will cause the spikes 22 to be inserted into the grass or dirt to anchor the curb guard 10 in place. Typically, the spikes 22 extend vertically further than the vertical portion of the resting piece.

As will be appreciated, once in place, the curb will be positioned in a space defined by three surfaces, namely, elongated leg 20, horizontal leg 40 and vertical leg 42. It is also noted that the horizontal free edge of vertical leg 42 is preferably smooth so as to limit damage from possible contact with an asphalt or paver surface of a driveway or parking lot that is being plowed. Once the curb guard 10 is in position, an end of an indicator pole is inserted into the push outs 44. As such, the indicator pole is positioned proximate an interior boundary of a plowing area, as opposed to on an exterior boundary as in the case of the prior art discussed above. Moreover, if an indicator pole becomes dislodged for any reason, it can be easily reinserted into the push out 44 without concern for a possible freezing condition of the soil, unlike the prior art.

The curb guard 10 and anchoring piece 12 are preferably made of stamped metal but can be formed of other durable material such as molded or extruded hard plastic. Also, it should be noted that both parts need not be made of the same material. For example, the anchoring piece 12 containing the spikes could be made of a metal material whereas the resting piece 14 can be made of a durable plastic. It is also noted that although two spikes 22 are shown, a single spike may also be employed as an alternative design (FIG. 3B). Furthermore, although two push outs 44—aligned with each other to provide a guide and insert area for an end of an indicator pole—are provided, a single elongated push out or pocket would likewise suffice.

An alternative embodiment of the resting piece 14 is depicted in FIG. 3B. Unlike FIG. 3A, the resting piece in FIG. 3B contains two adjustment slots 46 and a single guide 48. In this embodiment, the single guide 48 would accommodate a single rib 32 in the anchoring piece 12, and two engagement holes 30 would be positioned, each under a respective adjustment slot 46 and then fastened with a respective fastener 50. Aside from those variations, that alternative curb guard embodiment would function the same as explained above.

FIG. 7 shows the curb guard 10 in its assembled condition with an indicator pole 60 and an optional flag 65. The curb guard 10 is installed on a curb 90 that surrounds a paved surface 80. Curb 90 is shown as a wire frame. The anchoring piece 12 and the resting piece 14 overlap on the top surface 75 of the curb 90. The vertical leg 42 of the resting piece rests on the lateral face 85 of the curb. The indicator pole can be a reflective material or coated with a reflective material. Similarly, the flag 65 can be reflective. The indicator pole 60 is inserted into the push out 44, which denotes the edge of the paved surface 80. The indicator pole is held in place by a friction fit and/or locked in place with a fastener 70. The fastener 70 can be a bolt, screw, rivet, or the like. It should be noted that the push out 44 can be configured as a single pocket or as additional material bonded to the vertical leg 42.

According to one aspect of the invention, the curb guard is formed as a single piece that is nonadjustable. The single piece can be stamped metal or molded plastic. The single piece construction can be manufactured in standard sizes corresponding to general curb dimensions and shapes, several of which are shown in FIG. 8A-8E. It should be noted that other shapes and sizes are conceivable.

An alternative embodiment of the curb guard 10 further comprises a liner on its internal surface configured to contact the curb and protect the curb. The liner can be cloth, foam, or the like. The liner can be affixed by an adhesive to the curb guard on its internal surface.

Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A curb protector comprising: an anchoring piece having: a first anchoring leg configured to extend horizontally having at least one anchoring alignment rib and at least one anchoring engagement hole; a second anchoring leg configured to extend vertically having at least one spike; and an anchoring bent portion configured to connect the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg; a resting piece having: a first resting leg configured to extend horizontally having at least one resting alignment rib and at least one resting engagement slot that are complementary to the at least one anchoring alignment rib and the at least one anchoring engagement hole; a second resting leg configured to extend vertically having at least one push out; a resting bent portion configured to connect the first resting leg to the second resting leg; and a respective fastener that passes through and is retained in each complementary anchoring engagement hole and resting engagement slot pair.
 2. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring piece and the resting piece are slideably engaged with each other to adjust a width of the curb protector.
 3. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the resting piece and the anchoring piece is substantially L-shaped.
 4. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein the anchoring bent portion comprises at least one gusset.
 5. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spike comprises at least one stiffening rib.
 6. The curb protector according to claim 5, wherein the at least one spike comprises a wedge shaped blade at its longitudinal end.
 7. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein the at least one push out is generally C-shaped.
 8. The curb protector according to claim 7, wherein the at least one push out comprises a locking fastener.
 9. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein the resting bent portion comprises at least one gusset.
 10. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein the first anchoring leg has two anchoring alignment ribs and the at least one anchoring engagement hole arranged between the two anchoring alignment ribs.
 11. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein the first anchoring leg has two anchoring engagement holes and one anchoring alignment rib arranged between the two anchoring engagement holes.
 12. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein the first resting leg has two resting alignment ribs and at least one resting engagement hole arranged between the two resting alignment ribs.
 13. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein the first resting leg has two resting engagement holes and one resting alignment rib arranged between the two resting engagement holes.
 14. The curb protector according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator pole arranged in the at least one push out.
 15. The curb protector according to claim 14, wherein the indicator pole is retained in one of the at least one push out by at least one of a friction fit and a fastener.
 16. The curb protector according to claim 1, wherein at least one internal surface of the curb protector has a protective coating arranged thereon.
 17. A method of installing a curb protector comprising: providing an anchoring piece having a first anchoring leg configured to extend horizontally having at least one anchoring alignment rib and at least one anchoring engagement hole, an second anchoring leg configured to extend vertically having at least one spike, and an anchoring bent portion configured to connect the first anchoring leg to the second anchoring leg; providing a resting piece having a first resting leg configured to extend horizontally having at least one resting alignment rib and at least one resting engagement slot that are complementary to the at least one anchoring alignment rib and the at least one anchoring engagement hole, a second resting leg configured to extend vertically having at least one push out, and a resting bent portion configured to connect the first resting leg to the second resting leg; assembling the curb protector by placing the first anchoring leg and the first resting leg in overlapping arrangement; fitting the curb protector to a curb by adjusting the second anchoring leg and the second resting leg to lateral sides of the curb; inserting the at least one spike into ground on a side of the curb opposite a paved surface; and inserting an indicator pole in the at least one push out.
 18. The method of installing the curb protector according to claim 17, further comprising: arranging a fastener in each complementary anchoring engagement hole and resting engagement slot pair; and securing the fastener to maintain the second anchoring leg and the second resting leg on the lateral sides of the curb. 